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Old 09-21-2016 | 07:32 PM
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New to Fountains how are these fuel guages? On trailer light is on in water she hangs ass low 29 with twin 500's and read 1/4 tank any thoughts?? I know how NON accurate my Baja was.. is this going to be the typical all boats syndrome of ****ty fuel gauges..
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Old 09-22-2016 | 06:05 AM
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Not an expert on Fountain fuel gauges but with both of my Fountains the needles would start bouncing while running at a half a tank. Right now my 35 is setting on the trailer with the light on and I am positive they are at a half a tank.
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Old 09-22-2016 | 08:20 AM
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It's not that they are inaccurate, it's just the inherent design of ALL V-bottom fuel tanks. Gas gauges with floats only read linearly. But the bottom of your tank is V-or angle shaped. The only way to know exactly what's going on, is if you have SmartCraft or another similar system that looks at fuel consumption.

The best thing to remember is if you get below a 1/2 tank on the gauge; you better know where your next fuel stop is.

And then there is the old seaman's rule of 1/3 to get there, 1/3 to get back, and 1/3 in reserve. This is especially true when seas can kick up on you later in your journey, and you use more fuel.
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Old 09-22-2016 | 12:31 PM
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I think this is mostly true. I usually put in about 30+ gallons when my needle is setting at 3/4 in the water (at rest). It's usually bouncing all over the gauge when running in this condition. The 35 has twin 80 gallon tanks. So it's a good guess at how much I have left.

Originally Posted by fordf350
Not an expert on Fountain fuel gauges but with both of my Fountains the needles would start bouncing while running at a half a tank. Right now my 35 is setting on the trailer with the light on and I am positive they are at a half a tank.
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Old 09-23-2016 | 07:20 AM
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When it starts to bounce of full when in water you got 1/2-3/4 or so. When it reads 3/4 think about getting gas soon. When it reads half a tank you better be pulling up to the gas dock and if not your sea tow membership hopefully is current.
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Old 09-23-2016 | 08:18 AM
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Originally Posted by 682gold
When it starts to bounce of full when in water you got 1/2-3/4 or so. When it reads 3/4 think about getting gas soon. When it reads half a tank you better be pulling up to the gas dock and if not your sea tow membership hopefully is current.
But that isn't all. On my 32 I have been at a 1/4 when running then come into a 40min idle zone and make it in.
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Old 09-23-2016 | 08:40 AM
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mine works great, Once the gauge gets down to 1/4 and starts bouncing & the red light starts flashing... time to feed her
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Old 09-23-2016 | 10:36 AM
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Mine reads three quarter full and the light on always.
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Old 09-26-2016 | 02:10 PM
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[ATTACH=CONFIG]559776[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]559776[/ATTACH]
I had a similar thread to this a while back guess how much was left in my 130 gallon tank based on this picture. This was taken in the water at rest. I filled the boat and it took 72 gallons and gas came out the vent. I have never ran it any less than what was in my tank at this picture and I have never had the warning light come on. When do you guys see the warning light?
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Old 09-26-2016 | 07:25 PM
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Originally Posted by Interceptor
Mine reads three quarter full and the light on always.
You have a bad conection somewhere , one of my fuel gauges kept doing that , wiggled the wires & it went away .. Not kidding
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